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Santa Fe Southern won’t run this year
Passenger trains are money losers. The only time they made sense is when those trains had to compete against the horse. Once the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford came along, it was game over. Of course if the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford didn’t come along, somebody else would have, as many others were trying to achieve the same goals.
Sad. Really sad for this important part of railroad history.
It appears that Jeffery was born with a heart 3 sizes too small when it comes to railroads. I hate to tell you this Jeffery, but it was not the auto, that has caused pollution nor the airplane that has made travelling a chore but the RAILROAD that built this country. Be it passenger, freight or this combination tourist-freight. The sooner this country realizes that passenger trains and that includes you and your fellow tea partiers and republicans that AMTRAK should be treated as a utility, the better off this country shall be!
Jeffrey: One key item left out about the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford is that neither built the roadways or airports which popularized their contraptions. The Federal government did.
Shocker! Mr. Guse is negative. Nice.
I believe that there is more here than is being told.
There is a tale circulating that the Rail Runners new schedule, a local restaurant that wants more parking space, and local officials who are cozy with both are forcing the SFS out of their Santa Fe digs.
Money talks…
How sad!! I can understand their decision. Hopefrully they will resume service in the future.
How sad!! I can understand their decision. Hopefrully they will resume service in the future.
I have the same thought as Mr. Patchet - Just brainstorming, but I wonder if there isn’t some sort of viable arrangement that can be made with SFS, state of New Mexico, and cities, counties, national parks, etc. along the line from Albuquerque to some point north to provide a tourist service with stops at interesting points along the way. The small cities, villages, counties, etc. along the way would benefit from the tourism.
They should also consider basing operations in Lamy. I’m sure they would love to have the business.
The SFS needs a major rethink with the embargo of the Raton line and the implementation of RailRunner service. NM has backed out of the Raton purchase so is it time to think big (go to BNSF and handle everything north of Belen?) or to fold em?
Passenger trains that carry TOURISTS (“recreational railroads”) can make money, but they have to be in the right place, and offer the right product. They have to be marketed correctly, and they must be ready to ride the long road from start-up to profitability. Most investors are unwilling to leave their money just sitting in a black hole with a vague date for a return. They will opt to put their cash into the UP or CSX. But, if (and when) they hit, a tourist railway can offer a reasonable return. The operative word for any and all investors with stars in their eyes is “IF”. If you have an iron stomach, no fear of total loss of your investment, no fear of failure, no fear of losing partners and friends, and are willing to watch the years go by while you fight the lonely thankless job to build up the traffic, by all means go into the tourist railroad business. Just know going in that it is not for the faint of heart. And know that along the way you will meet both good and bad people, and have amazing life changing experiences that only those who dare to go into the real railroad business will ever have. Good luck to one and all. And remember, “God walks the section.” Steve Hites
Oh, really now, Goosie? Why do you even bother to post your blather? Perhaps it’s COMIC RELIEF!!!
Let a dying horse die. There appears to be too many impediments to the success of the SFS RR. No sense putting more money on this operation. If not viable; sell the assets and bail out.
Sad…was a nice ride. Trains were not too crowded, which was probably part of the problem. Would have liked to see Lamy develop more things to do there, like fix up the old church.